Archive for the 'David Lovering' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

“That’s not really the Pixies” is what you might hear from some murmuring fans if you're among those lucky enough to have scored tickets to one of five sold-out L.A. dates this month, a three-night run at El Rey Theatre that started Monday plus last Friday’s secret show at the Echo and a final set this Thursday at the Mayan Theater. The reference is to the departure of bassist Kim Deal from the band, ostensibly to continue the revival of her other project, the Breeders, leaving Pixies to replace her with another female bassist named Kim, the Muffs’ Ms. Shattuck.

But Monday’s gig proudly pushed back such criticism, not so much making an argument for or against Deal, but for the Pixies adding up to much more than what she brought to the group. While it would be impossible to replace frontman and chief songwriter Black Francis, and nearly as difficult to swap out the distinctive talents of guitarist Joey Santiago or drummer David Lovering, Deal’s bass playing was never markedly different from that of most peers, unless your name is Flea or Les Claypool.

Her most visible role was in the few songs on which she prominently sang, as well as her love-it-or-hate-it goofy stage banter, which acted as foil to Black’s stoic focus. The Pixies didn’t give Shattuck the ultimate test on Monday: “Gigantic,” Deal’s signature tune with the group, was omitted. But cuts like “Tame,” bolstered by backing uh-huh’s integral to that roaring piece’s appeal, and “Hey,” with combative harmonies that shoot up and fall down like bottle rockets, were all ably handled by the group’s first new member since forming nearly 30 years ago. Even if she hadn’t handled the parts perfectly, it would have been tough to notice; the audience usually chants the backing vocals too loudly to tell.

As for Deal’s personality, well, there’s no replacing that, and for fans attracted to her bad jokes and ability to detract from the band’s rugged, shadowy atmosphere, these Pixies concerts may not live up to expectations. But less sentimental types, Monday night the Pixies were everything you wanted them to be, delivering a loud, transporting experience that touched on both the well-known and the obscure, the old and the new.